Robin Miller's Mailbag for June 25 presented by Honda Racing/HPD

Q: It seems like every year lately we have a good month of May momentum is gained then we race at Detroit and then comes Texas and it's like the air is sucked out of the room. So many people arguing about that race and honestly, as a person that used to go to Kentucky Speedway, SMI is not a fan of IndyCar. I don't want to see Texas dropped but for sure want to see it moved toward the tail end of the schedule.

I have been a huge Indy car fan since the early '90s and still love it today. I try to go to three events a year – this year it's GP of Indy, Mid-Ohio, and I am making my first trek to Iowa with my son. I used to go to Richmond and loved it so Iowa was high on my want list. But going to its website now the France family has bought it, it already seems like IndyCar is moving to the back burner and I worry for that event.

I wish IndyCar could afford to buy tracks and then we could control the promotion of the event. We need so much more excitement for the other events outside of Indy 500. If they could bottle 30 percent of the event they create for Indy and place it on other events I think we could at least start it moving in the right direction. I love that my kids love IndyCar; it's a sport that I feel the drivers are great examples to look up to. No drug scandals weekly or shootings or the nonsense seen in a lot of other sports.

My last observation is value: I went to Pocono last year, loved the track and event wanted to support Brandon for his love of IndyCar but one race on Sunday just does not do it to me. I go to Mid-Ohio every year and enjoy the value – three to four races on race day – same with GP of Indy. At least at Richmond they ran a Silver Crown race as well before the Indy Cars.Alan Phelps

RM: There was a reason that Milwaukee followed Indy every year and was packed but that formula got blown up in The Split and I think it needs to be reinstated. The Hulman/George family already has enough debt from IndyCar without buying tracks but I think the Iowa promoter will try his best to keep IndyCar front and center because it usually draws a nice crowd. And I think your son will enjoy the race. I liked Pocono's prices and promotion for IndyCar but, you are right, people need and want more than just one race nowadays.

Q: I think it is time for IndyCar to look elsewhere rather racing at Texas Motor Speedway. The crowds are down, the racing is boring. I heard that Gossage is still making money, but to the TV audience, it sure doesn't look good. There was a storm in the Nashville area and the power was out for a while during the race and I missed the first half, but I really didn't miss much...case in point. When IndyCar was racing at Nashville, there were at least 25 to 30 thousand, which filled up the stands. The new owner wants racing to return and with a local driver from Hendersonville, Newgarden, I think it would be a good marriage. What are the chances of maybe adding on Nashville?Michael Yarber, Murfreesboro, TN

RM: Texas needs to be a one-day show or dropped altogether because, for whatever reason, attendance continues to plummet. To be honest, I think Nashville was closer to 15,000 people but the grandstand was always packed. I guess if Firestone pushed for a return it could happen but it's not on IndyCar's radar at the moment.

Q: I know you've probably been asked this many times but is there a reason why IndyCar isn't racing at the Circuit of The Americas?‬ Is it because they don't want to make Eddie Gossage angry twice a year?‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Doug‬ Ferguson‬‬‬

RM: Don't think you'll ever see three races in Texas but I'd certainly give Austin a try if there was any interest. Maybe open or close the season down there. A double-header with the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship would give it a chance to be successful. But Gossage doesn't carry a big stick anymore so IndyCar can't worry about appeasing him.‬‬‬

Q: I thought it was pretty cool seeing Graham Rahal at Bristol. Do you think there is a possibility of a race there in the future? The NASCAR trucks returned to Gateway this weekend. What do you think the chance of an IndyCar return there?Freddie Fredrick

RM: Rahal ran some laps in a Ford Mustang the other day in Thunder Valley and was impressed to the point of suggesting that maybe IndyCar test at Bristol to see if there could be any future. I think the St. Louis promoter would like to have Indy cars back but don't think IndyCar is interested.

Q: If IndyCar races at Bristol, I'm there and bringing friends. Get it done Graham.Matt Converset, Decatur, IN

RM: I don't know how many cars would still be running after an hour but it damn sure would be entertaining while it lasted.